Managed payroll services backed by the world's largest payroll provider
Access payroll expertise shaped by millions of payroll runs worldwide through a fully managed payroll service. Reduce administrative workload, improve resilience and help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
Is payroll taking too much time away from the business?
For many organisations, payroll isn't a full-time role. It sits alongside HR, finance or operational responsibilities, creating pressure on teams that already have plenty to do. As payroll requirements become more complex, keeping everything running smoothly can become increasingly difficult.
Common signs include:
- Payroll administration is taking time away from other business priorities
- Payroll knowledge is concentrated with one or two employees
- Employee changes, absences and pay adjustments create additional workload every pay cycle
- Existing payroll software still relies on significant manual input and checking
- Covering payroll during absence, leave or staff turnover is becoming a concern
- Hiring a dedicated payroll specialist isn't practical or cost-effective
Managed payroll services help organisations access dedicated payroll expertise without building and maintaining an internal payroll function.
What managed payroll services actually mean
Managed payroll services combine payroll software with dedicated payroll expertise. Rather than managing payroll calculations, processing and reporting internally, organisations work with ADP to run payroll through a structured, repeatable process.
Your organisation shares employee changes, pay adjustments and payroll inputs that affect each pay cycle.
- New starters and leavers
- Salary changes and variable pay
- Employee absences and leave
- Payroll approvals and sign-off
ADP handles the day-to-day payroll administration needed to help ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time.
- Payroll calculations and processing
- Payroll validations and checks
- Payslip production and payroll reporting
- Routine payroll administration
- Ongoing payroll support and compliance activities
Managed payroll services help organisations reduce payroll administration without losing visibility into payroll operations or employee pay.
“The biggest difference we noticed over our previous payroll partner is accuracy. Our payroll and reporting are now correct and reliably so. In the last 12 months we’ve experienced no payroll errors. Processes are more streamlined compared with what came before.”
- Prageeth Backegoda, Payroll Specialist, Ecco Sko A/S
Why organisations choose ADP's managed payroll services
Many organisations choose managed payroll services because they want the outcomes of a payroll team without the cost, complexity and resource requirements of maintaining one internally.
Reduce payroll workload
Free internal teams from routine payroll administration and the pressure of running payroll every pay cycle.
Access payroll expertise
Work with payroll specialists who manage payroll every day and understand changing payroll requirements.
Reduce reliance on key individuals
Avoid payroll knowledge being concentrated with one employee and reduce the risks associated with absence, leave or staff turnover.
Maintain visibility without managing payroll
Stay informed through payroll reporting, approvals and shared access to payroll information while ADP manages the day-to-day process.
Support growth without expanding payroll headcount
Scale payroll operations as employee numbers, locations and payroll requirements evolve without building a larger payroll team.
Gain confidence in every payroll cycle
Benefit from structured payroll processes, regular validations and dedicated payroll support throughout the payroll lifecycle.
Payroll software and expertise working together
Managed payroll services combine dedicated payroll support with payroll technology designed to provide visibility throughout the payroll process. Rather than relying on spreadsheets, email chains and manual reporting, organisations can work with ADP through a structured payroll platform while reducing the day-to-day burden of payroll administration.
Explore ADP payroll softwareManaged payroll services at different stages of growth
Organisations choose managed payroll services for different reasons depending on their size, structure and internal payroll resources.
Small businesses
Managed payroll helps small businesses access payroll expertise without hiring and managing an internal payroll specialist.
- Reduce time spent on payroll administration
- Handle PAYE, RTI and routine payroll requirements more efficiently
- Avoid relying on a single employee for payroll knowledge
- Maintain confidence as headcount grows
Best for: Businesses that need payroll expertise without building an internal payroll function.
Growing organisations
As organisations expand, payroll often becomes more complex than existing internal processes can comfortably support.
- Manage increasing numbers of employee changes and payroll inputs
- Reduce pressure on HR, finance and operational teams
- Support new locations, departments and workforce structures
- Access additional payroll expertise as requirements evolve
Best for: Organisations experiencing growth, operational change or increasing payroll complexity.
Larger organisations
Managed payroll can help larger organisations strengthen payroll operations, increase resilience and support periods of organisational change.
- Support payroll continuity during transformation projects
- Reduce dependency on key payroll personnel
- Improve operational resilience during restructuring or acquisitions
- Access specialist payroll expertise alongside existing internal teams
Best for: Organisations looking to supplement internal payroll capability or support change initiatives.
International organisations
Managed payroll services can help organisations maintain consistency while payroll requirements become more complex across locations and countries.
- Support coordination between local and international payroll operations
- Access payroll expertise across multiple jurisdictions
- Improve visibility across payroll activities
- Adapt payroll processes as international operations expand
Best for: Organisations operating across multiple countries or preparing for further expansion.
Many organisations initially choose managed payroll services to reduce workload, but continue using the model because it provides access to expertise, resilience and scalability without increasing internal payroll headcount.
Explore related payroll and HR services
Managed payroll services are one way to reduce the operational burden of payroll. Depending on your internal resources, you may also choose payroll software, broader payroll outsourcing or additional HR support.
Not every organisation requires the same level of payroll support. Compare different outsourcing models, from processing services through to fully managed payroll.
Retain ownership of payroll processing while using software designed to improve payroll accuracy, visibility and control.
Reduce administrative workload across both payroll and HR by combining software with additional HR expertise and operational support.
Getting started with managed payroll services
1
Tell us about your current payroll process
Discuss how payroll is managed today, where pressure points exist and what level of payroll support your organisation requires.
2
We'll define the right managed payroll approach
We'll help you determine how responsibilities should be shared, what information is required and how managed payroll services can fit into your existing operating model.
3
Transition payroll to ADP
Move to a structured managed payroll service with support from ADP specialists, helping ensure payroll continues to run smoothly throughout implementation and beyond.
FAQs
What is a fully managed payroll service?
A fully managed payroll service means a specialist payroll provider takes responsibility for running payroll on your behalf. ADP manages payroll calculations, processing, reporting and payroll administration, while your organisation provides employee changes and approves payroll before it is finalised.
Why do companies choose managed payroll services over running payroll in-house?
Organisations often choose managed payroll services when payroll administration takes time away from HR, finance or operational responsibilities, when payroll knowledge is concentrated with a small number of employees or when maintaining an internal payroll function is no longer practical.
Do we lose control if we use managed payroll services?
No. Managed payroll services reduce the operational burden of payroll but organisations retain oversight of employee information, payroll approvals and payroll decisions. ADP manages the day-to-day process while keeping payroll activities visible through a structured service model.
What's the difference between payroll outsourcing and managed payroll services?
Payroll outsourcing is a broader term that can describe different service models, ranging from payroll processing support through to fully outsourced payroll operations. Managed payroll services are a specific outsourcing model in which ADP manages payroll administration on your behalf while providing visibility, reporting and payroll expertise.
Can managed payroll services support organisational growth?
Yes. Many organisations use managed payroll services to support growth without hiring additional payroll specialists. The service can help organisations manage increasing payroll complexity, additional employees, new locations and changing business requirements while maintaining consistent payroll operations.
Can managed payroll services work alongside our HR software?
Yes. Managed payroll services are often used alongside HR software to help keep employee and payroll information aligned, reduce duplicate administration and improve visibility across payroll and people processes.
Complete the form and an ADP expert
will be in touch
By submitting this form you are informed that ADP may contact you about its products, services, and offers, according to our Privacy statement for Business contacts.
Let's find the perfect solution for your business
Fill out the form and see what the ADP team of payroll and HR experts can do for you.